Centre approves procurement of 56 transport aircraft for IAF

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of fifty-six C-295 MW transport aircraft from M/s Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain for the Indian Air Force today.

C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 Tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF.

The aircraft has also a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.

According to reports, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of the signing of the contract and 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium within ten years of the signing of the contract.

In India, this is the first project of its kind in where a military aircraft will be manufactured by a private company. All 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.

However, the programme will provide a major boost to the `Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ of the Government.

As per reports, a large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies, and major component assemblies of aerostructure are to be manufactured in India.

The programme is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3000 indirect jobs, and an additional 3000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man-hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India.

In addition to it, it will also involve the development of specialized infrastructure in form of hangars, buildings, aprons, and taxiways.

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Before completion of deliveries, ‘D’ Level servicing facility (MRO) for C-295MW aircraft is scheduled to be set up in India. As per the reports, it is expected that this facility will act as a regional MRO hub for various variants of C-295 aircraft.

As per the reports, the OEM will also discharge its offset obligations through direct purchase of eligible products and Services from Indian Offset Partners giving a further boost to the economy.

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